Furnace botting and tapping apparatus



y 26, 1966 J. w. ADAMS ETAL 3, 6

FURNACE BOTTING AND TAPPING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 8, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS JOHN W ADAMS F/GJ SAMIQEL J. NARDO y 26, 1966 J. w. ADAMS ETAL 3,262,692

FURNACE BOTTING AND TAPPING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 8, 1965 2 INVENTORS JOHN W ADAMS SAMUEL J. NARDNE July 26, 1966 J. w. ADAMS ETAL FURNACE BOTTING AND TAPPING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 8 1963 INVENTORS JOHN w ADAMS SAMUEL NAROONE ATRNEY FIG. 3

July 26, 1966 J. w. ADAMS ETAL 3,262,692

FURNACE BOTTING AND TAPPING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 8, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JOHN W ADAMS SA QIUEL J. A'. E

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,262,692 FURNACE BGITFNG AND TAPPlNG APPARATUS John W. Adams, Fhillipsburg, and Samuel J. Nardone, Alpha, N1, assignors to IngersoiLRaud Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Nov. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 322,475 Claims. (Cl. 266-42) This invention relates generally to apparatus by means of which the tapping conduit of a furnace is opened or closed to control the flow of molten metal produced by the furnace through the tapping conduit. More in particular, the present invention relates to an improved apparatus and mounting and operating mechanism therefor.

In present furnace Operations, drilling a passage through the plug in the furnace tapping conduit and botting the tapping conduit, are generally performed manually or semi-mechanically, requiring that the operators work close to the trough and tapping conduit, As a consequence thereof, the operators are frequencly subjected to the incidental dangers of flying sparks and extreme heat of the flowing molten cinder and metal. Furthermore, the manually performed operations are time consuming and less accurate than fully mechanized operations. In addition to the aforementioned difficulties, the apparatus to manually or semi-mechanically perform the drilling or botting operations are usually located in the immediate vicinity of the furnace and trough which the molten metal flows. The heat emitted from the molten metal causes warping of the structures of the aforementioned apparatus and results in poor operation of the apparatus. The apparatus located in the immediate vicinity of the furnace also form an obstruction in the working area near the furnace.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a novel apparatus with which the operations for botting the tapping conduit of the furnace, and for drilling a passage through the botted tapping conduit are fully mechanized.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which can be safely and accurately controlled from points remote from the tapping conduit and the trough through which the molten metal flows.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus including a botting device which is effectively cooled to avoid damage to the apparatus by contact with the molten cinder and metal.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus with which the tapping conduit is either botted or opened without requiring the .presence of an operator near the furnace.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus including a drilling device which can be retracted rapidly to avoid damage to the apparatus by contact with the molten metal.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which will form no obstruction in the working area near the furnace when the apparatus is inoperative.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top view of the apparatus according to the invention showing the botting device in an operational position, the drilling device in a retracted position, the enclosures for the botting and drilling devices, and the associated runner trough of a furnace (partly shown),

FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus shown in FIG.

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FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus showing the drilling device in an operational position and the lbotting device in aretracted position,

FIG. 4 is a side view of the drilling device in a retracted position within its enclosure,

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the botting rod of the botting device, and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged cross sectional views taken along the lines 66 and 77, respectively, of FIG. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring in detail to the drawings, numeral 10 designates a furnace, partly shown, having a tapping conduit 12 forwardly of which is positioned a runner trough 14 having upstanding side walls 16, 18, for receiving and conducting the molten metal produced by the furnace. On either side of the trough 14 is positioned a mechanism, the mechanism designated being in the form of a concealable botting device, and the mechanism designated 22 being in the form of a concealable drilling device. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the botting device '20 is positioned on the left hand side of trough 14 while the drilling device 22 is positioned on the right hand side of the trough, the botting device being shown in operative position with its hollow botter rod disposed centrally over the trough bottom and in axial alignment with the tapping conduit 12 of the furnace. The drilling device 22 is shown in an inoperative and retracted position. For each device is provided an enclosure A, B, preferably of heat resistant material, including mechanically movable covers C, D, respectively, within which enclosures the devices may be retracted and totally enclosed to be concealed when not in operation. With this arrangement no obstruction in the working area near the furnace is formed.

The drilling device 22 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 includes a commonly known drifter type drill comprising a drill mounting 24 slidaibly carrying a .percussive type drill motor 26 which is actuated either forwardly or rearwardly along the upper face of mounting 24 by means of a feed niotor 28. The feed motor is mounted on the lower face of drill mounting '24 for driving a chain (not shown) connected to the drill motor in a commonly known manner. Drill motor 26 actuates a drill steel 39 operatively connected to the drill motor and provided at its forward end with a drill lbit 3.2 to drill through the plug in tapping conduit 12 when the drill mounting is properly positioned relative to the tapping conduit, as will be described hereinafter. The forward end of drill mounting 24 is provided with a centralizer 34 to support the drill steel and to hold the forward end portion of the drill steel in axial alignment with the drill motor.

The rear end of drill mounting 24 is connected under a right angle to an arm 36 which is pivotally mounted on a support 38. Support 38, including a beam structure 40 carried by the bottom surface of the enclosure, is provided at its rear end with a boss 42 for carrying a shaft 44 which supports arm 36 for rotation about the axis of shaft 44. Support 38 also carries a pressure fluid operated motor 46 having a pressure fluid actuated piston 48 disposed within a cylinder 5% piston 48 being actuated by pressure fluid admitted to either end of cylinder 50 to selectively actuate piston 48 longitudinally in either direction. A rod 52 extending longitudinally through both ends of cylinder 50 is connected to piston 48 to be actuated therewith.

Motor 46 serves to actuate the arm 36 including drill mounting 24 and drill motor 26 from a retracted position in the associated enclosure, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to an operative position as shown in FIG. 3, and conversely. Actuation of arm 36 by motor 46 is preferably achieved by means of a cable 54, however, other suitable means such as a chain drive may be used. Cable 54 is connected to the outer ends of rod 52 and trained over sheaves 56, 58, 60 and 62 positioned in a pattern as shown in FIGS. .1, 2, 3 and 4. Sheave 60 is fixedly connected to arm 36 while sheaves 56, 58 and 62 are idler sheaves positioned to suitably guide the cable to sheave 60 in order to provide for rotation of sheave 60 (by friction when a cable is used, and by positive action when a chain drive is provided) about the axis of shaft 44 when motor 46 operates. Forward motion of piston 48 and rod 52 connected to piston 48 results in rotation of arm 36 including drill mounting 24 and drill motor 26 in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of shaft 44, while rearward motion of piston 48 and rod 52 connected to piston 48 results in rotation of arm 36 in a clockwise direction about the axis of shaft 44.

A suitable control system (not shown, since any commonly known control system may be used) is provided to remotely control the closing and opening of cover D, operation of motor 46 to actuate arm 36, operation of drill motor 26 to actuate drill bit 32, and operation of feed motor 28 .to either feed or retract the drill motor and drill bit towards or away from the tapping conduit.

When tapping operations are to be performed, cover D is opened whereafter motor 46 is activated to actuate arm 36 and drill mounting 24 connected to arm 36 from a retracted position, within enclosure B as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to an operative position with the drill motor and its components over the trough bottom and in axial alignment with the tapping conduit of the furnace, as shown in FIG. 3. When the drilling device 22 is to be retracted, motor 46 is activated to actuate arm 36 to actuate the drill mounting, drill motor and its components from an operative position to an inoperative or retracted position within enclosure B, whereafter cover D is closed.

Referring now to the botting device 20 positioned on the left hand side of the trough, the botting device is also disposed in an enclosure having a cover to entirely enclose and conceal the botting device when in an inoperative or retracted position, to form no obstruction in the working area near the furnace. A support 66, carried by the bottom surface of the enclosure A, includes a beam 68 to the rear end of which is connected a boss 70 through which is mounted a shaft 72 for pivotally carrying an arm 74. A botting rod 76 is connected under a right angle to the free end of arm 74 and comprises a cylinder 78 within which is disposed a pressure fluid actuated piston 80 for longitudinal movement selectively in either direction in the cylinder, see FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.

Piston 80 supports a hollow rod 82 sli-dably extending through the head 84 of the cylinder, and a tapered stopper 86 connected to the forward end of hollow rod 82 to be moved longitudinally with the piston and the hollow rod. A tube 88 for conducting cooling fluid such as air is fixedly connected at its rear end portion to the rear end portion of cylinder 78, and extends through piston 80 into passage 90 of rod 82 in slidable relation therewith to be in constant communication with the passage 90 of hollow rod 82. It is then readily apparent that, when piston 80 is actuated longitudinally in either direction, piston 80 and rod 82 slide over the associated portion of tube 88. Cooling fluid is thus continuously conducted through tube 88, passage 90 of rod 82, and passage 92 of stopper 86 to the forward end of the stopper, from where the cooling fluid is conducted rearwardly through passages 94 and 96 adjacent the sides of the stopper.

It is to be noted that, since the entire botting rod is exposed to heat emitted from the molten metal and cinder in trough 14, the botting rod is to be effectively cooled to prevent damage thereof. Cooling of the botting rod is achieved by providing a cylindrical shield 98 of heat resistant material for enclosing cylinder 78, the diameter of shield 98 being such that there is provided a flow space 109 between shield 98 and cylinder 78. Shield 98 is connected with its rear end to arm 74 and extends forwardly to the forward end of cylinder head 84. A second cylindrical shield 102 of heat resistant material is provided and extends rearwardly from the rear end of the stopper 86, to which the forward end of shield 102 isconnected, to beyond the rear end of cylinder head 84. The diameter of shield 102 is such that there is provided a =flow space 104 between shields 98- and 102.

Cooling fluid forced into tube 88 from a source of supply, not shown, flows through passage of rod 82 to passages 92, 94 and 96 in stopper 86, from where the fluid flows rearwardly into a chamber 106 formed by the shield 192. From chamber 106 the cooling fluid flows rearwardly through flow spaces 109 and 104 to the atmosphere. With this arrangement, cylinder 78 including piston 80 and cylinder head 84, rod 82, as well as the stopper 86 are effectively cooled and protected against the heat emitted from the molten material in trough 14.

Botting rod 76 and arm 74 to which the botting rod is connected, are actuated to rotate about the axis of shaft 72 by a pressure fluid operated motor 108 mounted on beam 68. Motor 108 includes a cylinder 110 within which a piston 112 is disposed to be actuated by pressure fluid admitted to either end of cylinder 110 to selectively actuate piston 112 longitudinally in either direction. A rod 114 extending longitudinally through both ends of the cylinder is connected to piston 112 to be actuated therewith. Actuation of arm 74 by motor 108 is achieved by means of a cable 116, however, other suitable means such as a chain drive may be used. Cable 116 is connected to the outer ends of rod 114 and trained over sheaves 118, 120, 122, and 124 positioned in a pattern as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Sheave 122 is fixedly connected to arm 74 while sheaves 118,-120 and 124 are idler sheaves positioned to suitably guide the cable to sheave 122 in order to provide for rotation of sheave 122 (by friction when a cable is used, and 'by' positive action when a chain drive is provided) about the axis of shaft 72 when motor 108 operates. -Forward motion of piston 112 and rod 114 connected to piston 112 results in rotation of arm 74 including botting rod 76 in a clockwise direction about the axis of shaft 72, while rearward motion of piston 112 and rod 114 connected to piston 112 results in rotation of arm 74 including botting rod 76 in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of shaft 72.

A suitable control system (not shown, since any commonly known control system may be used) is provided to remotely control the opening and closing of cover C, operation of motor 108 to actuate arm 74, and actuation of piston 80 of the botting rod to either extend or retract stopper 86 towards or away from the tapping hole.

When the furnace is to be tapped, assuming that the botting device 20 as well as the drilling device 22 are in a retracted position enclosed in, respectively, enclosure A, see FIG. 3, and enclosure B, see FIGS. 1 and 2, drilling device 22 is to be operated. Cover D of enclosure B, see FIG. 2, is to be opened to permit arm '36 to be swung out of the enclosure to position drill motor 26 including drill steel 38 and drill bit 32 into the proper drilling position. Pressure fluid is admitted from a source of supply (not shown) into the rear end portion of cylinder 50 and rearward of piston 48 which is positioned in its extreme rearward position, as shown in FIG. 1. Piston 48 and rod 52 connected to the piston are forced forwardly causing rotation of sheave 60 and arm 36 connected to sheave 60 in acounterclockwise direction about the axis of shaft 44. Forward movement of piston 48 is halted when arm 36 and drill mounting 24 connected to arm 36 are positioned such that drill motor 26, drill steel 30 and drill bit 32, car-lied by the drill mounting, are in axial alignment with tapping conduit 12. In this posi- 23 tion, piston 48 of motor 46 is positioned in its extreme forward position, see FIG. 3.

Drill motor 26 and feed motor 28 are then operated to operate the drill bit and to slidably actuate the drill motor toward the tapping conduit to drill through the plug in the tapping conduit. After drilling operations of the drilling device, the feed motor retracts the drill motor to withdraw the drill bit from the tapping conduit whereafter pressure fluid is admitted into the forward end portion of cylinder 50 to actuate piston 48 to cause cable 54 to rotate sheave 60 and arm 36 in a clockwise direction about the axis of shaft 44. The drill mounting and the drill motor connected to arm 36 are thus retracted from the drilling position to a retracted and concealed position within the enclosure B, whereafter cover D is closed.

When the botting device is to be used, cover C of enclosure A is opened. Pressure fluid is admitted into the rear end portion of cylinder 110 and rearwardly of piston 112, which is positioned in its extreme rearward position, to force piston 112 forwardly. Forward movement of piston 112 causes the cable 116 to rotate sheave 122 and arm 74 connected to sheave 122 in a clockwise direction about the axis of shaft 72. Forward movement of piston 112 is halted when arm 74 and botting rod 76 connected to arm 74 are positioned such that botting rod 76 is in axial alignment with tapping hole 12. In this position, piston 112 is in its extreme forward position.

Pressure fluid is then admitted to the rear end portion of cylinder 78 of the botting rod, see FIG. 5, to actuate piston 80, rod 82, and the stopper 86 connected to the piston, towards the tapping conduit. Movement of the stopper 86 towards the tapping conduit obstructs the flow of the molten metal flowing from the tapping conduit, causing the metal in the tapping conduit to cool off sufficiently to solidify and to form a plug in the tapping conduit. After betting of the tapping conduit, pressure fluid is admitted into the forward end portion of cylinder 78 and forwardly of piston 80 to force piston 80, rod 82 and the stopper 86 rearwardly and away from the tapping conduit.

When the stopper is fully retracted, pressure fluid is admitted into the forward end portion of cylinder 110 of motor 108, see FIG. 1, to actuate piston 112 rearwardly to cause cable 114 to rotate sheave 122 and arm 74 in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of shaft 72. Botting rod 76 connected to arm 74 is thus retracted from the botting position to a retracted and concealed position within the enclosure A, whereafter cover C is closed.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

We claim:

1. In combination with a furnace having a tapping conduit for conductance of the discharge of said furnace comprising,

(a) a botting device movable into an operative position relative to said tapping conduit,

(b) a drilling device movable into an operative position relative to said tapping conduit,

(c) a mounting for each of said devices, each mounting including means to actuate the associated device from said operative position relative to said tapping conduit into a retracted and inoperative position relative to said tapping conduit, and

(d) enclosure means to conceal said devices when said devices are in a retracted and inoperative position.

2. In combination with a furnace having a tapping conduit and a trough connected thereto for conductance of the discharge of said furnace comprising,

(a) a botting device movable into an operative position relative to said tapping conduit,

(b) a drilling device movable into an operative position relative to said tapping conduit,

(c) a first enclosure for said betting device formed at one side of said trough,

(d) a second enclosure for said drilling device formed at the other side of said trough, I

(e) a mounting for the associated device in each of said enclosures including an arm adapted to rotate :said device from said operative position into an inoperative and retracted position wholly enclosed in the assoc'iatedenclosure, and

(f) a motor positioned within each of said enclosures to actuate said arm.

3. The combination claimed in claim 2 in which'said motor is of a rectilinear movement pressure fluid operated type, and transmitting means connecting said motor to said arm to convert 'said rectilinear movement of said motor into rotary movement of said arm.

4. A pressure fluid operated botting device compris- (a) an elongated cylinder having one end closed by a cylinder head and the other end by a supporting member,

(b) a piston disposed in said cylinder for reciproca- .tory movement in said cylinder,

(c) means to selectively admit and discharge pressure fluid into and from the opposing ends of said cylinder to move said piston longitudinally,

(d) an elongated cylindrical shie ld disposed about said first cylinder in radially spaced relationship therewith for telescopic movement relative to said cylinder,

(e) a stopper having a hollow portion connected to one end of said cylindrical shield and cooperating with said cylinder head to form a chamber between said stopper and said cylinder head in constant communication with the space between said shield and said cylinder,

(f) a piston rod extending from said piston through said cylinder head and connected to said stopper to elfect movement of said stopper when said piston is moved, and

(g) means to conduct a cooling medium to said hollow portion of said stopper to flow therefrom into said chamber and through the space between said shield and said cylinder.

5. A pressure fluid operated bott-ing device comprising,

(a) an elongated cylinder having one end closed by a cylinder head and the other end by a supporting member,

(b) a first cylindrical shield rigidly mounted about said cylinder in radially spaced relation therewith, (c) an elongated second cylindrical shield mounted about said first cylindrical shield in radially spaced relationship therewith for telescopic movement relative to said first cylindrical shield,

(d) a stopper having a hollow portion connected to one end of said second cylindrical shield and cooperating with said cylinder head to form a chamber between said stopper and said cylinder head in constant communication with the space between said shields and with the space between said first shield and said cylinder,

(e) a piston having a central passage therethrough disposed in said cylinder for longitudinal movement therein,

(f) means to selectively admit and discharge pressure fluid into and from the opposing ends of said cylinder to move said piston longitudinally in said cylinder,

g) a piston rod formed with a central passage therethrough in communication with the passage in said piston having one end connected to said piston and extending therefrom through said cylinder head, the other end of said piston rod connected to said stopper to effect movement of said stopper when said piston is moved, and for communication of the passage in 7 said piston rod with the hollow portion of said stopper, and

(h) a cooling medium supply tube extending from said supporting member s'l-idably through said passage of said piston and into said passage of said piston rod 5 to conduct a cooling medium to said hollow portion of said stopper to flow therefrom into said chamber and through the space between said shields and through the space between said first shield and said cylinder.

- References Cited by the Examiner I UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1963 Stauffer et a1. 26642 6/1965 Draper 26642 CHARLIE T. MOON, Primary Examiner.

10 L. J. WESTFALL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATIN WITH A FURNACE HAVING A TAPPING CONDUIT FOR CONDUCTANCE OF THE DISCHARGE OF SAID FURNACE COMPRISING, (A) A BOTTING DEVICE MOVABLE INTO AN OPERATIVE POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID TAPPING CONDUIT, (B) A DRILLING DEVICE MOVABLE INTO AN OPERATIVE POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID TAPPING CONDUIT, (C) A MOUNTING FOR EACH OF SAID DEVICES, EACH MOUNTING INCLUDING MEANS TO ACUATE THE ASSOCIATED DEVICE FROM SAID OPERATIVE POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID TAPPING CONDUIT INTO A RETRACTED AND INOPERATIVE POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID TAPPING CONDUIT, AND (D) ENCLOSURE MEANS TO CONCEAL SAID DEVICES WHEN SAID DEVICES ARE IN A RETRACTED AND INOPERATIVE POSITION. 